I am completely new to the swim world but have a 7 yo DD who was doing Goldfish Swim Force, but expressed an interest in doing "real" swim like her dad did in high school. I am in SW DC and wasn't excited about what I found in the District (too far from our neighborhood or too expensive). I found that the Arlington Aquatic Club lets nonresidents in, we did the tryouts yesterday and she was good enough for their really basic program Gators I (https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/pvsaac/page/swim-groups)

I emailed the program director who patiently explained how it works to me, and set an alarm for last weekend to get one of the tryout slots and was able to score one of the earlier blocks (second of the day - the first is reserved for Arlington residents) as it is first come first served by tryout group. I had prepped DD that she probably wouldn't get in this time but it was going to be good practice, however she did great on her freestyle and backstroke, with only minor corrections to fly and breaststroke. We got the third to last spot on the Gators I group that does once a week Sunday afternoon practices (same as her Swim Force slot and a lot closer to home, not to mention very much cheaper).

So all that to say, it wasn't very hard for us to get a similar child into what I assume is a better program with AAC. BUT the caveat is also that I think they are done recruiting for the upcoming season, which doesn't even start until September. If you don't find what you're looking for this fall/winter, maybe get on their listserv to try out for next?

Machine out of Madeira School has a stroke mechanics program plus a 2 day a week entry level "team" group. Their Tysons site also. NCAP may have a similar program at their Tysons location. At Spring Hill there may also be a county program. And 2nd (or 3rd) the Y option as it can be a really low key transition from summer to "year 'round" swim (at least the Ys in the DMV, other areas Y programs are intense).

Anonymous wrote:Fish at Spring Hill would take a beginner 7 year old so long as the can do 25 breast or 25 dolphin kick.

This. And I don’t think even breast is required. There are tryouts multiple days a week.

Fish at Spring Hill would take a beginner 7 year old so long as the can do 25 breast or 25 dolphin kick.

There are lots of different options for winter swim. Yes, it can be hard to get into some of the club teams, but there are weekly stroke and turn programs and other developmental groups around. You should be able to find something. It took my kid four years of tryouts to get in the club he wanted. In the intervening time he did winter clinics at a nearby athletic club, then a junior development group with a different swim club, then a higher level with that club. Friends kids swam at the YMCA in a similar situation. At that age I’d look for something where they can get a fair amount of individual attention and have time in the pool twice a week - and that will be fun and ideally with friends. Families at our summer pool had great suggestions - you might ask on your summer teams FB page if they have one.

McLean

where specifically are you

I have a 7 yo beginner swimmer who wants to get faster and wants to swim on the winter team. She is very slow now - among the slowest of the 7 yo’s at her NVSL division 1-3 team. But she is dedicated and loves it and wants to get better.

Will she have a hard time getting onto a winter swim team? I see that the kids need to try out for those teams. Any recommendations for teams in the area that a beginner can get into?